Modeling and Simulation analysis of an electric vehicle in normal and hot ambient conditions: energy consumption and driving range

With better performance and usage of clean and renewable energy, electric vehicles have ushered in more and more consumers’ favor nowadays. However, insufficient driving range especially in hot and cold ambient conditions still greatly restricts the extensive application of electric vehicles. This paper presents a methodology of establishing mechanics-electricity-thermodynamics coupled full vehicle model in AMESim to investigate the energy consumption and driving range of an electric vehicle in normal and hot ambient conditions. Full vehicle energy consumption test was carried out in the climate chamber to check the accuracy of simulation results. Firstly, basic framework of the full vehicle model established in AMESim was introduced. Next, modeling details of sub-systems including vehicle dynamic system, electrical system, coolant circuit system, air-conditioning system and control strategy were illustrated. Then, full vehicle energy consumption tests were carried out in 23℃ and 38℃ ambient conditions respectively to check the simulation accuracy. Finally, energy flow chart of the full vehicle was elaborated and rank of each wastage term was also arranged. In both 23℃ and 38℃ ambient conditions, the simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data, thus showing a good acceptance of the methodology. In 23℃ ambient condition, mechanical loss of rolling resistance and air resistance occupy the top two positions respectively. However, in 38℃ ambient condition, as Thermal Management System (TMS) involved, electrical loss of compressor and DC/DC took over the top two positions and meanwhile greatly increased the total energy consumption as well.